Secretarial Order Implementing EXPLORE Act Is A Win For RVers

The RV Industry Association, along with the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, applauds the new Secretarial Order signed by the  Department of the Interior Secretary Doug Burgum on Wednesday, June 25th, 2025. The order establishes a framework to ensure the EXPLORE Act’s successful rollout across public lands and waters nationwide. 

The Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act, the first-ever outdoor recreation-specific bill package, passed with bipartisan support in Congress last year and was signed into law by President Biden on Saturday, January 4th, 2025. Secretary Burgum’s order formally launches the EXPLORE Act.

“The RV Industry Association thanks Secretary Burgum for implementing the EXPLORE Act through this order, which supports the $1.2 trillion outdoor recreation economy and $140 billion RV industry by enhancing outdoor experiences for Americans across the country,” says Craig Kirby, President and CEO of the RV Industry Association. “We commend the Secretary’s Order for its positive impact on the countless communities and businesses that will benefit from a bolstered outdoor recreation economy.”

The Secretarial Order is a direct response to years of advocacy from the RV industry and outdoor recreation partners to modernize public lands, expand campground access, and support the gateway communities that power America’s outdoor economy. Earlier this month, leaders from the RV industry met with the Department of the Interior to advocate for provisions included in the Order.

Specifically, the Secretarial Order sets the stage for real improvements for the RV industry by:

• Upgrading federal campgrounds
• Expanding reservation systems
• Streamlining special use permitting
• Improving broadband access on public lands
• Leveraging Federal authorities to better support the needs of gateway communities

The RV Industry Association and its members played a leading role in shaping the EXPLORE Act by consistently elevating the voices of manufacturers, suppliers, and RVers who depend on accessible, well-maintained federal recreation assets. The Association’s close collaboration with Congress and federal agencies helped deliver both the legislative framework and the administrative action needed to bring it to life.